west coast railways tours 2023

14 Most Scenic Train Rides On The West Coast

Head to the West Coast of America and Canada for train journeys with breathtaking views of mountains, ocean, and wildlife.

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Two More Of The Most Scenic Train Rides On The West Coast

• Scenic train rides on the West Coast offer breathtaking views of the Puget Sound, Cascade Range, and other natural wonders. Don't miss the Amtrak Cascades route for a truly incredible experience.
• The Amtrak Empire Builder is another must-try scenic train route that takes you through the Rocky Mountains, Columbia River Gorge, and dense Pacific Northwest forests.
• For a more relaxing option, take the Amtrak Coast Starlight route to enjoy epic scenery from Los Angeles to Seattle. Choose from different seat options, including Superliner bedrooms, for ultimate comfort.

North America is a vast continent, and railways are a great option for exploring the incredible landscapes of America and Canada at high speeds. From commuter trains to train tours and sleeper trains , the most scenic train rides on the West Coast offer something for everyone.

They vary in duration, making it easy to build some sort of train journey into any road trip or vacation along the Pacific coast. Travelers heading to British Columbia, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, or California should book their tickets for one of these scenic railways ASAP.

UPDATE: 2023/10/02 16:59 EST BY REENA JAIN

This list has been updated to include two more scenic train rides on the West Coast, including Amtrak Cascades and Amtrak Empire Builder, which offer fantastic experiences and incredible natural magnificence.

10 Day Trips In The U.S. That You Can Only Take By Scenic Train

14 amtrak cascades.

The Amtrak Cascades route is one of the most scenic Amtrak routes, with spectacular scenery of the West Coast. It runs between Eugene and Vancouver, providing breathtaking views of the Puget Sound and the Cascade Range. It is also the only Amtrak route using a cafe car and a European trainset. Although the whole route is full of natural splendor, traveling between either Seattle or Portland and Bellingham, Washington, is a truly incredible experience. Advantages of these journeys include vistas of Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Hood, Puget Sound, and the Columbia River Gorge.

• Travel Time: Between Portland and Bellingham: 6.5 hours; Between Seattle and Bellingham: 2.5 hours

13 Amtrak Empire Builder

Another scenic train route that deserves to be on this list of West Coast train trips is the Amtrak Empire Builder . It is the ideal train journey to take in spectacular mountain and forest sights while traveling. This cross-country route travels between Chicago and Seattle through the Cascade Mountains, the Rocky Mountains, the Columbia River Gorge, and the dense Pacific Northwest forests. Along the way, travelers can disembark at any of the destinations for a night or more or take a nature retreat, including close to Glacier National Park.

• Route: Chicago, IL to Seattle, WA

12 Amtrak Coast Starlight

One of the best road trips in the world is arguably driving up the west coast of the United States from California Big Sur to Seattle. But, a more relaxing option that frees up travelers’ eyes from the road to fully appreciate the epic scenery is to make this journey via train. The Amtrak Coast Starlight route takes passengers all the way from sunny Los Angeles, California, to the Pacific Northwest in Seattle, Washington.

• Notable For: Ultimate West Coast Trip - LA To Seattle

The trip takes approximately 35 hours (one way) and passes through the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara, Sacramento, and Portland. The views on this route are unmatched, with coastal scenery, lush forests, and breathtaking mountain peaks. Travelers can choose what class of seat they want to book, with options ranging from Coach Class seats to Superliner bedrooms.

11 Rocky Mountaineer First Passage To The West

Further north across the Canadian border is one of the best train journeys on Canada’s west coast. Take the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Banff National Park via Kamloops. The trip takes two days with a night aboard the train and can be completed in either direction.

• Cost: $2,199 - $3,704 CAD (From $1,730 USD)

For first-time visitors to the Canadian Rockies, it’s the perfect way to take in the incredible scenery. It’s also a good option for transiting comfortably between two of the best places to visit on the West Coast.

10 Amtrak California Zephyr

Although it doesn’t start on the West Coast, Amtrak’s California Zephyr train route is one of the top choices for a scenic journey to the West Coast. The train originates in Chicago, and the trip ends in Emeryville (San Francisco). There are stunning views along the way as the train winds through Nevada, Utah, and Colorado to reach its final destination.

• Route: Chicago to San Francisco

One way, the journey takes 51 hours and 20 minutes. Ogle the Sierra Nevada mountain range and get a glimpse of the Pacific Coast in Sacramento before arriving in Emeryville, where transit connections are available to San Francisco and Oakland stations.

Coast By Train: See America's Best Views By Railway

9 alaska railroad’s coastal classic.

For a short but sweet west coast train ride, travelers can head to the far north reaches of Alaska. In 4.5 hours, Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic route takes passengers from Anchorage to Seward along the shoreline of the Turnagain Arm, with a stop in Girdwood at the 1.25-hour mark. In a region of rich wilderness, this train excursion is a chance to spot whales in the ocean or see bears roaming alongside the tracks.

• Note: Great For Day Trips To Seward

Once passengers arrive in Seward, they can spend a few hours enjoying various activities like dog sledding, glacier hikes, or boat tours before boarding a return train to Anchorage.

8 Rocky Mountaineer Journey Through the Clouds

When visiting Canada’s west coast and starting the trip from Vancouver, the Rocky Mountaineer offers another enticing train route called Journey Through the Clouds. This option takes passengers from Vancouver to Jasper National Park, rather than Banff, via Kamloops.

• Duration: Packages For 4 Days and 3 Nights

Jasper National Park covers 11,000 square km in Alberta, Canada, and it is the biggest National Park in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. The area is full of wildlife, including elk, grizzly bears, black bears, and big-horned sheep.

Climbing Aboard Canada's Rocky Mountaineer, One Of The Most Scenic Trains In The World

7 white pass and yukon to skagway rail route.

Adventurous travelers can undertake a cross-border train journey from the port of Skagway, Alaska to the capital of Canada’s Yukon Territory, Whitehorse. From Skagway, it’s possible to take the White Pass Summit Excursion for $134 per adult. The train ride to the White Pass Summit is about 2.5 hours or 40 miles round trip . It offers incredible views of the mountain scenery that Alaska has to offer.

• Location: Canada's Yukon Territory

6 Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Surf enthusiasts, all aboard! The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is one of the surfer’s dream West Coast train tours, taking passengers and their surfboards along the California coast. The whole route takes 5 hours and 45 minutes to complete and covers 351 miles.

• Distance: 564 Kilometers or 351 Miles

The start and endpoints of the trip are San Luis Obispo and San Diego. The train travels through Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties, helping surfers catch the best waves on America’s west coast.

5 Prince Rupert To Jasper With VIA Rail

Skip Vancouver on this west coast Canadian train journey and take a VIA rail adventure from the scenic coastal city of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, instead. Prince Rupert is in Northern BC and is a great alternative to Southern BC for nature lovers.

• Distance: 1,160 Kilometers or 720 Miles

The VIA Rail route from Prince Rupert to Jasper via Prince George covers 1160 km and is offered in economy class . The train stops in Prince George overnight, and passengers must find their own accommodations in the town before departing the next morning for Jasper.

4 The Skunk Steam Locomotive

Venture into the northern wilds of California, and one will discover Fort Bragg and the most peculiar Glass Beach (worth a stop for those going up the coast) . Another notable attraction is the historic Skunk Steam Locomotive (fortunately, its stink was historical and not current).

• Fare: Adult: $79.95

The historic railway used to have a pot-belly stove to keep passengers warm. It had the reputation of being a train one could "smell before one could see it." Today visitors enjoy riding the old railway cars through the redwoods and through the Noyo River canyon.

3 Grand Canyon Railway

Admittedly the Grand Canyon is not strictly speaking the West Coast, but still, it is worth a mention if not for the experience of an old-timey train robbery. The Grand Canyon Railway was built in 1901 to take folks to the stunning Grand Canyon , and today, it is a family-friendly scenic train with plenty of acts and performances to keep all the kids entertained.

• Fare: $67 Pullman Class Return

The Grand Canyon Railway runs from Williams to Grand Canyon Village in Arizona - a journey of 64 miles. With its Wild West re-enactments and shows, it is arguably one of the most entertaining ways to get to the world's most stunning canyon.

2 Oregon Coastal Scenic Railway

One of the unmissable heritage train trips in Oregon is with the Oregon Coastal Scenic Railroad and its vintage steam trains. They offer a range of options, including the Fall Splendor Excursion, Candy Cane Express, Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, and the Sunset Dinner Train.

• Starting Price Range: $30-180

The train trips are between one and three hours long, and some include a four-course catered meal (complete with beer and wine for purchase). Sit back and see some of the best of the Oregon Coast roll by as one travels as they did in the golden age of train travel.

1 Oregon Pacific Railroad

Take a historic train ride in Portland, Oregon, with the Oregon Pacific Railroad . They are once again bringing back their Saturday passenger service (they are a family-owned and operated freight railroad company). Their passenger train service operates every Saturday from March to November. Add this activity to one's essential weekend itinerary for Portland .

The cars are pulled by heritage GMD-1 diesel locomotives and have an open-air car, passenger cabooses, and a very historic business passenger car. The rides last around 45 minutes and cost $14 per adult passenger. They travel along the east bank of the Willamette River through the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.

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Carnforth Depot Tour, 18th February 2023 18th February 2023

• Carnforth Depot Tour, 18th February 2023

Our first tour of 2023 will see us return to the West Coast Railway's Carnforth depot which will take place on the 18th February 2023. This visit is limited to 30 places. This tour is strictly a members only event.

Members that are attending are asked to meet at the depot entrance gate off  Jesson Way, Carnforth, LA5 9UR  at 10:15 for a 10:30 start, there is ample parking on-site near the gate. For members traveling by train we will arrange for transport from the station to the depot if required, we ask you to inform us in the choices while purchasing a place on this tour and be in the station car park by 10:00 at the latest. 

There is an age limit of  NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 14  please.

The tour is usually over 3 hours in length and will cover all areas and buildings on site, please make sure yo u are fit enough to walk around 4 miles which will involve some  uneven  ground. Members are responsible for their own safety, please keep a look out were you walk and take no undue risks.

The tour is strictly on a guided basis as one group and we insist that people do not stray from the group as we walk around the site. There could be movements and shunting taking place which the whole group must keep clear of.

Members that will be attending  MUST  have the following safety equipment to attend the tour: Sturdy footwear / Safety Boots, Safety Glasses optional, High Vis Vest, and Bump Cap / Hard Hat. No equipment will be provided by either Rail Riders or West Coast Railways.

Although on site photography is allowed during the visit, West Coast Railways have requested no publishing either in magazines or on social media / internet, this needs to be strictly adhered to as any infringement is likely to affect future tours in a negative way.

Club members don't, don't forget that Carnforth Models gives you the 10% discount and the Brief Encounter Bistro & Bar on the station with a 10% discount for Hot food either before or after the visit, highly recommended. Both are listed in the club handbook.

Our  tours are arranged for our members only, so why not sign up for a membership today and gain all the benefits of being a member including the chance to take part on our members tours of railways and depots and other special things the ordinary enthusiast cannot do, so why not go to our website  Rail Riders   for more details.

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How to plan the ultimate US rail trip along the West Coast or Eastern Seaboard

Crossing America’s vast distances by train provides a unique perspective on many of the country’s natural and urban highlights — and with major rail investment in the pipeline, the experience is only likely to get better. 

In the US, embarking on a train trip means taking the track less travelled. Once the symbol of technological advancement and westward expansion, the country’s railroads have had a hard time moving into the modern era. But when you ride the rails in the US, you’re afforded the opportunity to peel back the layers of this land and experience it on a human scale.  

From the train windows, passengers bear witness to the epic diversity of landscapes that have shaped the country’s history and people — the snowy Sierra Nevadas, the Rocky Mountains, the rugged West Coast cliffs that plunge into the blue Pacific, the placid swamps of Florida and Texas and the oceans of prairie grass in the Midwest. Watching that scenery roll by is a highlight, but taking the train in the US is also about opening a backdoor to parts of the country rarely seen by travellers, from underappreciated small towns to the industrial underbelly.  

Many Americans have never taken a cross-country train on home soil. Amtrak, the country’s only long-distance passenger train operator, is barely more than 50 years old, founded as a quasi-public company in 1971 — but US train travel can feel like a journey much further back in time. The long-distance lines have wonderfully evocative names, such as ‘Coast Starlight’ (Seattle to Los Angeles), ‘California Zephyr’ (the San Francisco Bay Area to Chicago), ‘Silver Star’ (New York City to Miami) and ‘Sunset Limited’ (Los Angeles to New Orleans). Trains pass through monumental stations that are architectural beacons of their eras, from the art deco tilework and massive chandeliers hanging from the soaring, 19-metre-high ceilings in Los Angeles’ Union Station to the beaux arts white granite arches, gold-leaf ceiling medallions and classical statuary at Union Station in Washington, DC.    

While the US lags behind many countries in terms of train infrastructure — there are far fewer of the sleeper cabins that Europe excels in, while the bullet-train speeds of Japan have yet to materialise — Amtrak is on the cusp of a revolution, set for the largest rail investment in its history. As part of this, its Acela trains in the north east will be upgraded by 2024, making them faster and more environmentally friendly. And by the end of the decade, new routes and a new fleet of long-distance trains are promised across the country. But for now, at least, riding Amtrak remains something of an old-school travel experience. These train trips are less about getting from A to B and more about watching the world go by and sharing the journey with the strangers you meet on board.

Itinerary 1: Seattle to San Diego

Distance : 1,505 miles

Unravelling over a huge swathe of the country, from above Seattle in the north to San Diego, just above the Mexican border in the south, the West Coast is a US blockbuster. It’s punctuated by hip, laid-back cities, instantly recognisable landmarks and beautiful natural spaces — and you don’t need a car to access many of the highlights. Between Los Angeles and northern Washington , Amtrak follows a similar route to the classic Highway 101 road trip, allowing travellers to bask in the scenery instead of getting stuck behind the wheel. Where the track meets the Pacific Ocean through central and southern California , your eyes will be glued to the picture windows as the train trundles wickedly close to the coastal cliff edge, with nothing between you and the sea but a sheer several-hundred-foot drop down to the beach. The route is made up of three overlapping rail lines: Cascades, Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner.  

1. Pike Place Market , Seattle Find the heart of Seattle at Pike Place, which opened in 1907 with a handful of farmers who rolled up in wagons. It’s now one of the US’s oldest and largest continuously operating markets, home to the world’s oldest Starbucks. Fish are still thrown through the air and tourists stick their used gum on a wall in a famous back alley. But today, the presence of buskers, restaurants and bookshops shows it’s far more than a farmers’ market.  

2. Columbia River Gorge Stretch your legs at the country’s largest National Scenic Area, less than a 30-minute drive east of central Portland in Oregon . Columbia River Gorge is an 80-mile-long canyon, where 90 layered waterfalls spill from basalt cliffs covered with needle-like ponderosa pines. Hiking and cycling here is a balm for the soul after a tour of Portland’s hip cafe and brewery scene. Book a tour, if you’d rather not drive.

3. San Francisco The Coast Starlight train pulls up in Oakland, putting San Francisco — just across the bay — within easy reach. If you have time for just one excursion, take the boat to Alcatraz Island, home to the country’s most infamous prison until it closed in 1963. You’ll knock off two sights in one journey, as the Golden Gate Bridge should be visible from the water — as long as it’s not obscured by fog.

4. Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail It’s possible to get a taste of California’s wine country in Santa Barbara, without straying too far from the train tracks. The Urban Wine Trail links together more than 20 cellars spread across four areas of the city. These include the Funk Zone — a former industrial district that runs for 10 blocks from the train station — which has a dense concentration of spots to sample some lauded cool-climate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.  

5.   Hollywood , Los Angeles Originally built to advertise a real estate development, the Hollywood Sign is LA’s most iconic landmark and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023. Perched high on Mount Lee in the south west of Griffith Park, the sign is a sight to behold from afar but it’s also well worth making the trek to see it up close. A handful of steep trails of varying difficulty wind through the park’s exposed sage scrub, rising above oak and walnut woodland and passing mountain ridges, gaining 300 metres in elevation en route to the sign.  

6. Coronado Beach , San Diego Set on a peninsula across the bridge from downtown San Diego, Coronado Beach is frequently ranked among the best stretches of sand in the US. When seen up close, you’ll understand why: it literally sparkles thanks to the mineral mica in the grains of sand, which makes it gleam in the sunlight. Grab a daybed or go for a drink at Hotel del Coronado, an 1888 seaside resort forever associated with Marilyn Monroe after it featured in the 1959 film Some Like It Hot.  

Itinerary 2: Miami to New York

Distance:   1,522 miles

Offering an alternate perspective on the most populated part of the country, this train route rolls through backland swamps, forested countryside and one-stoplight towns in between major metropolises, including New York, Washington, DC and Miami. For first-timers looking to squeeze as much into their trip as possible — albeit it at a leisurely pace — it’s an ideal way to link up the Eastern Seaboard’s biggest attractions on a single visit without setting foot in an airport.  

Spot manatees, spiny lobsters and dolphins in the waters of South Florida before scooting up to Savannah and Charleston, both historic coastal cities currently reckoning with difficult pasts. The journey then continues northwards to the country’s current capital, Washington , DC, and its former capital, Philadelphia, where national history looms large and excellent museums abound. This epic overlander then terminates in New York City, where Broadway and one of the best bar and restaurant scenes in the country await.  

The Northeast Corridor, from DC to Boston, has the country’s busiest and best-served train routes, with dozens of departures daily — a rarity elsewhere in the US. Amtrak’s high-speed Acela trains — the fastest in North America — also run through this region.  

1. Everglades National Park With a coastline bordering both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, South Florida is all about the water, and fun-loving Miami is an ideal jumping-off point for trips to Florida’s most famous national park, the Everglades. Its manatee-, alligator- and crocodile-filled waters, west of the city, allow travellers to spot wildlife rarely seen elsewhere in the country. Fun fact: it’s the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles coexist. Join a boat trip to get out into the park’s swamps or take an accessible hike along the mile-long Anhinga Trail to see these ancient creatures basking in the sun on dry land.

2. Savannah’s Starland District Georgia ’s southern belle, the town of Savannah, is accented with grand, neoclassical-style antebellum architecture, paddle boats and oak trees draped with Spanish moss — but it’s also a hotbed of innovation and creativity, thanks to the influence of the Savannah College of Art and Design. The city’s imaginative spirit is most prominent in the Starland District, a former dairy and the neighbourhood surrounding it that’s been transformed into an arts hub with galleries, coffee shops, vintage boutiques and studios.

3. Charleston Strolling through Charleston is a walk through living history. Streets of brick and cobblestones lead past centuries-old churches and notable houses hidden behind swirling wrought-iron gates (the colourful homes of Rainbow Row are particularly photogenic). But the past isn’t always pretty, and Charleston reckons with its brutal treatment of enslaved people at important visitor sites such as the McLeod Plantation and the Old Slave Mart Museum .    

4.   Smithsonian , Washington, DC The leading cultural institution in the US capital continues to add to its collection of 21 huge free-to-visit museums, many of which are set along the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building. The deeply moving National Museum of African American History and Culture is the latest addition to the lineup, documenting the Black experience in the US, from the transatlantic slave trade to the 1960s civil rights movement and Black achievements in music, sport and the arts. Powerful artefacts on display include the dress that Rosa Parks was sewing at work the day she was arrested for not giving up her bus seat to a white passenger.  

5. Philadelphia The original US capital city, Philly is where US democracy was debated and drafted. Visit the Independence National Historical Park to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where delegates from the 13 colonies met to write both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Then head to the Eastern State Penitentiary, an infamous prison that once held criminals like Al Capone but now hosts art installations and exhibitions in former 1800s cell blocks.  

6. New York’s High Line The US’s largest city, New York makes a fitting final stop. Continue the rail theme by spending the day meandering Manhattan’s High Line, a former train track turned public park. Heading south from Hudson Yards to Greenwich Village, hop on and off to visit Chelsea’s art galleries and the Meatpacking District boutiques. Finish with a drink at Little Island, an artificial island in Hudson River designed by British starchitect Thomas Heatherwick.  

Five more US rail routes

1. Empire builder Bookended by Chicago and Seattle, the Empire Builder rides through a wild variety of landscapes, from the grasslands of the Great Plains to the snowy Rocky Mountains and glacial valleys of Montana’s Glacier National Park. Parts of the route follow the trail of early US expedition leaders Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.  

2. Southwest Chief Crossing the heart of the country between Chicago and Los Angeles, the Southwest Chief gives riders a taste of the West, old and new. From Flagstaff, Arizona, take a shuttle to Grand Canyon National Park or to Williams, where the privately run heritage Grand Canyon Railway heads to the heart of the park.

3. Sunset Limited This route between Los Angeles and New Orleans skirts the south of the country, making stops in Palm Springs for modernist architecture and San Antonio for Texas history, at the Alamo and preserved 18th-century Spanish missions. Most long-distance Amtrak services operate daily, but Sunset Limited runs just three times a week.  

4. Lake Shore Limited Running from Chicago to New York or Boston, the Lake Shore Limited traces the edges of the Great Lakes, from the tip of Lake Michigan near Chicago to Lake Erie through Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. In autumn, expect wonderful colour changes in the foliage around the water.

5. City of New Orleans This route between Chicago and New Orleans is sure to have your toes tapping as it stops at some of the country’s great music cities, noteworthy for their jazz, blues, soul and funk. Halfway into the trip, trains stop in Memphis, where you can tour Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley, and listen to blues on Beale Street.

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october, 2023

21 oct All Day The Cumbrian Coastal Express - Fully Booked - Confirmed Timings Added Take a breathtaking journey hauled by steam train along the scenic Cumbrian Coast. Joining Stations: Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol Parkway, Cam & Dursley, Cheltenham Spa, Worcestershire Parkway, Birmingham New Street, Stafford, *Crewe, *Preston

Event Details

SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER 2023 JOIN US FOR A FABULOUS STEAM HAULED JOURNEY

SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER 2023

Join us for a fabulous steam hauled journey along the longest coastal route in britain.

Commencing the journey at Bristol Temple Meads, our train picks up at stations to Birmingham and Crewe. From here the diesel locomotive works fast along the West Coast Mainline offering spectacular views of the Cumbrian Mountains as we climb over the northern fells to the historic border city of Carlisle for a lunchtime sightseeing break. Here there will be time to visit the Cathedral or Castle or take a wander around the shops and eateries in the City Centre .

With everyone back on board, and our historic steam locomotive from the West Coast Railway’s steam pool at the helm of our special train, we depart for the scenic journey along Britain’s longest coastal route.

Running along the shoreline, through Workington and Whitehaven, we will have spectacular waterside views as we journey south. The Isle of Man may even be visible across the Irish Sea. We run adjacent to the coast through Sellafield, and Ravenglass. On passing Ulverston, we curve along the edge of Morecambe Bay to Grange-over-Sands. There are views across the bay as we cross Kent Viaduct at Arnside and arrive at Carnforth late afternoon, where we say goodbye to our steam locomotive, and the diesel locomotive takes over for the journey back to our set-down stations to complete a wonderful day.

ON BOARD FEATURES INCLUDE: – Reserved seats aligned with the carriage windows – A printed excursion and journey guide for everyone – A travelling licensed buffet with refreshments, including alcoholic and soft drinks  – The Premier Dining service includes The Great British Breakfast, Elevenses and four course Evening Dinner – Cheerful, friendly and helpful Pathfinder Stewards!

CONFIRMED TIMINGS

Table for Two seats are available at a supplement of £40 per person in Premier Dining and First Class. First Class Passengers will each receive vouchers to collect refreshments from the buffet car during the journey. Customers will be able to relax in the luxury of classic 1960’s or 1970’s carriages throughout the journey. The steam locomotive will be supplied from the West Coast Railway’s steam pool. *We regret that Premier Dining is unavailable from Crewe and Preston.

Main Photograph: Jack Boskett  

april, 2024

Event Type :

Enthusiasts

Event Location:

WEST MIDLANDS

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West Coast Railways - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Saturday 23rd September - "Settle & Carlisle Steam Special " Tour Promoter: Northern Belle TOC: West Coast Railways Locos: 2 WCR 57 T&T, 34067 Tangmere + 57601 Windsor Castle T&T

• The Jacobite
• The Dalesman
• Scarborough Spa Express
• Lune Rivers Trust

Important Announcement - The Jacobite Afternoon trips

29th April 2024

UPDATE  - JACOBITE AFTERNOON SERVICE - 29/04//2024.  

We are sorry that we need to cancel trips on our Jacobite Steam Train service (afternoon trips only).  

The morning trips departing from Fort William at 10:15am are unaffected by these cancellations and are due to run on time.

Today we have announced the cancelled trips for the afternoon service - (12:50 pm departure from Fort William) these are from the 6th May to the 13th May 2024 inclusive. Passengers will be contacted directly by email and SMS text to inform them of the cancellations. To clarify, we have now cancelled all the afternoon service trips departing Fort William at 12:50 from 6th May to 13th May 2024 (dates inclusive).

As we are unable to offer alternative trips on the Jacobite afternoon service at this time, our reservations team will process full refunds for customers with bookings on those dates in the next 5 working days. 

All refunds will be paid via the payment method used to make the booking. Customers who used credit vouchers will be issued with a replacement to the same value to redeem before 31 May 2025. 

This suspension of this service is due to a debate with the rail regulator around door locking (please see below for further details). We share the regulator’s commitment to safety and our priority now is to work with it to renew permission to enable us to run The Jacobite on the main rail line.

We hope to be able to operate scheduled future afternoon trips on the Jacobite, but will contact all customers ahead of their journey date directly, in the event the trip they have booked will not run. In that case, we also will issue a full refund. 

PLEASE NOTE - NEW BOOKINGS FOR THE JACOBITE ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FOR BOTH TRIPS, except those detailed on the https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/news/jacobite-seats-available-to-book page.

Please contact WCR via: [email protected] for further information. 

Further details

What is the dispute with the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) all about, and why does West Coast Railways (WCR) believe it should receive an exemption from the ORR.

The ORR has a policy (called Regulation 5) for all heritage Mark 1 and Mark 2 carriages (the Mark 1’s are used on the Jacobite trip) to have central door locking (CDL) fitted, so they can continue to run their carriages on the mainline rail network in the UK. The basis of this policy is to ensure the safety of rail passengers when travelling in these heritage carriages.

Why then is WCR requesting that it should receive an exemption from this?

• There have always been exemptions granted under this policy and WCR has had exemptions on these carriages for nearly 30 years. In the court case in December 2023, the Court judgement helpfully summarises the policy as follows:

“The ORR’s policy gives a strong steer that central door locking will be required, but it nonetheless makes clear that ORR will consider granting an exemption from Regulation 5 where an applicant can “demonstrate that there are exceptional circumstances”. Two examples of exceptional circumstances are given but they are not said to be exhaustive. It is ‘expected’ that any deviation from the policy “provide an equivalent level of safety protection to central door locking” but the requirement is not mandatory.”

• Other companies are operating on the mainline rail network, using the same mark 1 and mark 2 carriages that WCR use. The ORR has allowed them to continue to run under an exemption granted by the ORR, even though these carriages have not been fitted with CDL. WCR has not been granted the same exemption as these other operators. 
• As this policy is deemed to be about safety, it is clear from the above that this is not the case, otherwise no operator would be allowed to run these carriages without have CDL fitted. 
• Again, it is very clear from the court case in December 2023 that this is not the case. The ORR Admitted to the court that there were no safety concerns with WCR’s operating procedures adopted when running these heritage carriages.
• In fact it is WCR’s contention, as submitted in their application for an exemption continuation, and in the comprehensive risk assessment attached to the application (produced by an independent Health & Safety company), that the current method of having two door locks fitted to each door (one main lock, plus a secondary deadbolt), plus having a steward present in each carriage, is far safer than having to spend millions of pounds to fit CDL. 
• Exemption: WCR have requested (and fully expected to receive, as other operators have), a temporary exemption, whilst the ORR considered it’s full application. 

We are working closely with the ORR to reach a speedy conclusion to this, but until then we have had to suspend running the Jacobite service. This is affecting not only WCR, but over 100,000 passengers, the majority of whom are tourists to the West Highlands, this in turn affects thousands of local businesses and employment in the area.

Further updates will be posted here on a regular basis.

West Coast Railways

The vintage carriages that we use on the Jacobite Steam Train trip require a central door locking exemption certificate in order to run on the mainline railway network. In past years this has been automatically granted, however this year that has not been the case and a more detailed application has had to be submitted.

West Coast Railways (WCR) the operators of the Jacobite applied to the governing body of the railways the ORR, (Office of Rail and Road) for a short-term exemption certificate whilst awaiting the full application consideration. The ORR have refused to issue this and will consider the full proposal but are unsure as to how long this will take.

Due to this, we are unable to run our Jacobite service until the exemption certificate is granted.

Please accept our sincere apologies for this possible disruption in our service, however the timing of when we will be able to resume our service is completely beyond our control.

WCR will continue to work closely with the ORR to obtain the necessary clearance for the Jacobite service to resume. 

We will communicate messages via email and SMS text to all affected bookings for trips that we might have to cancel and full refunds will be given following any cancellations of our trips.

Although we have suspended the Jacobite trip until we reach agreement with the ORR, we are hopeful of reaching an agreement and be able to resume our service.  

The Jacobite trips that have been cancelled are the 28th to the 30th March 2024.

Further communications regarding cancellations will be first sent our affected passengers, then will be announced on these News Articles.

West Coast Railways.

If you have any questions now, please email us: [email protected] .

Train strikes in May 2024: Full list of dates and lines affected

Rail lines are set for disruption in the week following the first May bank holiday as train drivers at 16 rail companies strike on different days.

Monday 29 April 2024 09:17, UK

Train drivers will stage a fresh wave of strikes and overtime bans in May, causing disruption to the rail network.

The strikes are part of a long-running dispute over pay.

Members of Aslef union at 16 rail companies will walk out on different days from 7 to 9 May.

Additionally, all members will refuse to work any overtime from 6 May to 11 May.

Here is a full list of the services affected by strikes and when.

Rail strike dates

Tuesday 7 May

Strikes will affect c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express and South Western Railway.

Wednesday 8 May

Strikes will affect Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains.

Thursday 9 May

Strikes will affect LNER, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express.

Overtime ban dates

From Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May union members will not work overtime.

Overtime bans, an action short of a strike, means some services may not be running or may be reduced as drivers refuse to work their rest days.

People are advised to check before they travel, as some areas may have no service.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

How do strikes and overtime bans affect services?

Strikes tend to mean services on lines where members are participating are extremely affected or cancelled entirely, whereas overtime bans often lead to reduced services.

Are there strikes on the Tube too?

There have been regular strikes on London Underground too recently, and while there aren't any planned walkouts for drivers, customer service managers are set to walk out on Friday 26 April in a dispute over terms and conditions.

There will also be an overtime ban for the customer service managers on the following days:

Monday 29 April

Tuesday 30 April

Wednesday 1 May

Tuesday 2 May

Wednesday 3 May

Thursday 4 May

Friday 5 May

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) says the action by its members is likely to cause Tube stations to close at the last minute, including on the Saturday following the strike (27 April), while TfL has said on its website "some stations may need to close at short notice".

Despite the warning, a TfL spokesperson has said they aren't expecting significant disruption.

This action follows strike action taken by the same workers on 10 April, which the TSSA said had a "real impact" with "many stations shut at short notice".

They say they are "extremely concerned" about TfL's 'Stations Changes' proposals.

"We have made it clear that our union will not accept the continued threats to our members' roles, locations, terms, and conditions to stand unchallenged," a TSSA spokesperson said.

"We will continue to take sustained action until London Underground is prepared to negotiate with us in good faith."

Commenting on the impending strikes, a TfL spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that TSSA is continuing with this strike action following a consultation process.

"While we don't expect this action will cause significant disruption, we urge TSSA to continue to work with us to help find a resolution.

"There are no planned job losses as part of these vital changes which will improve the service we provide to customers at our stations."

How can I stay in the loop?

You can use the National Rail's journey planner to see when trains are running.

Be sure to check it close to when you plan to travel, as it will be updated regularly.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Why are the strikes still happening?

Aslef rejected a two-year offer of 4% in 2022 and another 4% this year, saying it is way below inflation, and is linked to changes in terms and conditions.

Aslef said train drivers have not had an increase in salary for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019.

The union said after its members voted overwhelmingly in February to continue taking industrial action, it asked the train operating companies to hold talks.

General secretary Mick Whelan said the year-old pay offer of 4% and another 4% was "dead in the water".

Related Topics

• London Underground
• Rail strikes

Tue 30 Apr 2024

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May 2024 strikes: Full list of walkout dates, from trains and Tube to flights

Strikes on the uk's rail network and at heathrow airport are set to disrupt travel in may.

With two bank holidays the month of May is often seen as the perfect time to get away but this year that could be hampered by a series of strikes which will cause travel chaos.

Rail services, the London Underground and Heathrow Airpor t will all be hit by industrial action this month, some of it coinciding with the first May bank holiday.

Train drivers union Aslef, Tube workers who are members of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) and around 800 members of the union Unite based at Heathrow are all to stage walkouts or overtime bans during the month.

It means travel disruption will be inevitable for some this month.

When are the train strikes?

Train drivers union Aslef has announced its members will walk out in another series of one-day strikes, coupled with a six-day overtime ban.

This will affect 16 train companies with which the union is still in dispute. over pay for drivers.

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “Drivers would not vote to strike if they thought an offer was acceptable.

“They don’t. And that offer – now a year old – is dead in the water.”

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents rail companies, said: “This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the ASLEF leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses once again, while further damaging the railway at a time when taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54 million a week just to keep services running.

“We continue to seek a fair agreement with the ASLEF leadership which both rewards our people, gives our customers more reliable services and makes sure the railway isn’t taking more than its fair share from taxpayers.”

The industrial action will be on:

Tuesday 7 May – affecting c2c, Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia (which includes Stansted Express), Great Northern, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway (which includes Island Line) and Thameslink.

Wednesday 8 May – Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, Heathrow Express, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway.

Thursday 9 May – LNER, Northern and TransPennine Express.

There will also be an overtime ban from Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May which may alter the timetable of trains that will be running.

Passengers are advised to check before they travel, as the action is likely to lead to delays and cancellations.

When are the Tube strikes?

Members of TSSA rail union working as customer service manager on the London Underground are already going on strike on Friday 26 April .

TSSA Customer Service Managers at London Underground will also take part in an overtime ban from Monday 29 April to Friday 5 May , which will include the May bank holiday.

This overtime ban is expected to lead to station closures at very short notice.

TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “We will continue to take sustained action until London Underground is prepared to negotiate with us in good faith.”

Transport for London, which runs London Underground, has said it is “disappointed” by the planned action and has urged TSSA urge TSSA to “continue to work with us to help find a resolution.”

A planned strike by Aslef members on the London Underground for Saturday 4 May has now been called off.

When are the Heathrow Airport strikes?

Heathrow, the UK’s largest airport, is facing major disruption in May with a series of strikes across different departments.

Unite union has said almost 800 members will be taking part in a week of strike action beginning at 12.01am on Tuesday 7 May and ending at 11.50pm on Monday 13 May in a dispute over the outsourcing of jobs.

Jobs in passenger services (assisting travellers to catch connecting flights), trolley operations and campus security (security guards responsible for workers at Heathrow and vehicles being checked entering Heathrow) are expected to be outsourced by 1 June.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Heathrow Airport’s actions are deplorable, it is raking in massive profits for the bosses while trying to squeeze every last penny out of its workforce.”

Unite members from passenger services, trolley operations, campus security, firefighters and airside operations will strike from 7 May up to and including 13 May.

In a separate dispute, Unite members at AFS Ltd, an airline refuelling company, are also taking part in industrial action at Heathrow Airport on Saturday 4 May , Sunday 5 May and Monday 6 May (bank holiday) over pay and conditions.

Unite said the action will “inevitably cause widespread disruption across the airport leading to delays and disruption.”

A Heathrow Airport spokesperson said: “We are reorganising our operations to deliver better results for our customers.

“There are no job losses as a result of these changes, and we continue to discuss with Unite the implementation of these changes for the small number of colleagues impacted.

Unite’s threats of potential industrial action are unnecessary, and customers can be reassured that we will keep the airport operating smoothly just like we have in the past.”

Border Force staff, who are members of the PCS union, and responsible for immigration controls and passport checks are due to go on strike for four days between Monday 29 April and Thursday 2 May in the run-up to the bank holiday.

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